Toxic Teeth: Is the mercury in our fillings safe?
One of the most debated issues in dentistry revolves around the safety of dental amalgams. While many dentists around the world are offering alternatives to amalgams, up to 47% are still using fillings containing mercury.
What is dental amalgam?
Dental amalgam is a filling used to fill tooth cavities caused by tooth decay. It is a mixture of approximately 50% mercury, sliver, tin and copper. As it has a silver appearance, these amalgams are often referred to as silver fillings. These fillings have been used for more than 150 years in millions of people around the world. It has been a popular choice for dentists as these metals form a strong bond, making them durable and long-lasting as dental fillings.
The risks
Mercury contained in fillings are slowly released in the form of a vapour that can be inhaled or absorbed by the lungs by up to 80%. This vapour is tasteless, colourless and odourless, so you won’t even know it’s there. A single dental amalgam can release as much as 15 micrograms of mercury per day. The average individual has eight amalgam fillings which could equal 120 micrograms of mercury being released and absorbed by your body on a daily basis.
It may not sound like much but every atom of mercury is toxic and even the World Health Organisation had deemed that there is no safe level of mercury exposure.
Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin that can cause neurological conditions, mental health disorders, autoimmune disease and chronic illnesses. Studies have shown that mercury exposure from dental amalgams is associated with numerous health complaints including anxiety, fatigue and depression. These are also main symptoms associated with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. In addition, several studies have shown that these symptoms have improved by up to 78% following the removal of amalgams.
Mercury accumulates in the body slowly over time. The more amalgam fillings you have and the longer you have had them, will increase the amount of mercury in your body.
Some people can also have sensitivities or allergies to mercury and other metals in the amalgam which can cause localised redness and irritation.
How to minimise mercury vapour
If you do have amalgam fillings there are many things you can do to minimise the toxic effects of mercury. Studies have shown that chewing gum, eating acidic foods, carbonated drinks, having a poor diet and grinding teeth can increase mercury leaching into your body by up to five times.
Wearing a mouth guard at night can be an effective strategy if you grind your teeth. It is recommended to avoid or reduce soft drinks and acidic foods in the diet such as vinegar, citrus fruit and tomato.
However, even brushing your teeth or having a cup of coffee stimulates the release of mercury from amalgams.
If you are looking at safe ways to minimise the effects of mercury and reduce its accumulation in the body speak to your naturopath or GP.
Environmental impact
Mercury from dental amalgam removal ends up in our waterways, leading to environmental contamination. The WHO (World Health Organization) reports that mercury from amalgam and laboratory devices accounts for 53% of total mercury emissions into our environment. In 2008 Scandinavian countries banned the use of mercury in amalgam fillings for environmental and health reasons.
To remove or not to remove, that is the question…
Many holistic dentists are offering safe removal of dental amalgams containing mercury. The problem with removal is that a very high amount of mercury exposure occurs during this time, so you need to be careful.
The benefits
Two weeks after amalgam removal, mercury levels in the body fall significantly as exposure from amalgam fillings has been eliminated and the body begins to detoxify the dangerous metal out of the body. After a few months’ mercury levels in blood and urine is reduced by 80%.
Safe removal
If you are having an amalgam removed, make sure your dentist is using a dental rubber dam that minimises the amount of mercury vapour released by isolating the tooth.
Before deciding, it is best to consult a holistic dentist to determine whether your amalgams are intact and the potential health risks of keeping or removing them.
Antioxidant therapy during removal
If you have decided to remove your dental amalgams than utilizing antioxidants before, during and after this stage can be very helpful to minimize the side-effects.
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) helps to increase glutathione levels and chelates mercury.
- Glutathione is a potent antioxidant in the body and counteracts the oxidative damage this metal can do.
- Zinc can also be helpful as an antioxidant and is an antagonist against copper and mercury, helping to lower both these levels in the body.
- Lipoic acid can help protect the nervous system and has been shown to dramatically increase the excretion of mercury.
- Other antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10, vitamins C and E, gingko biloba, pycnogenol and selenium are suggested.
It is important to consult your naturopath or GP before conducting antioxidant therapy during amalgam removal. NAC is a strictly practitioner only supplement.
What are the other options?
There are many other mercury free options for dental fillings without the potential long-term risks.
The most popular choice is a composite resin filling. They are sometimes called “tooth-coloured” or “white” fillings because of their colour.
Composite resin fillings are made of a type of plastic (an acrylic resin) reinforced with powdered glass filler, making them very durable.
To summarise
Mercury contained in amalgam fillings emit a vapour which our body absorbs and stores. Mercury is a toxic substance; high amounts can cause dysregulation in our immune and nervous system and contributes to chronic diseases. Removal of amalgams must be discussed with a dentist who is able to minimise your exposure of mercury. Antioxidants can be beneficial to minimise the side-effects and increase the bodies removal of this toxic metal. There are many other newer alternative options for dental fillings such as composite resin fillings which are just as durable as amalgams without the risk.
References
- http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgam/ucm171094.htm
- Kern JK, et al. Evidence supporting a link between dental amalgams and chronic illness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2014;35(7):537-52 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25617876
- Bjorkman L, et al. Long term changes in health complaints after removal of amalgam restorations. Acta Odontol Scand. 2017 Jan 16:1-15 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28093013
- Lindh U, et al. Removal of dental amalgam and other metal alloys supported by antioxidant therapy alleviates symptoms and improves quality of life in patients with amalgam-associated ill health. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002 Oct-Dec;23(5-6):459-82 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12500173
- Rasines Alcaraz MG, et al. Direct composite resin fillings versus amalgam fillings for permanent or adult posterior teeth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Mar 31;(3):CD005620 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24683067
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your health you should consult with a health professional.